INDIANAPOLIS — Jets coach Robert Saleh went to bed Tuesday night with a stomach problem and woke up knowing he wouldn’t make it to the NFL combine to attend his team’s second meeting with quarterback Derek Carr.
“I’m sad I didn’t make it,” Saleh said Thursday via video call.
Saleh wasn’t originally planning on coming to the combine anyway — and he didn’t last year — but that was obviously a unique circumstance given the Jets (and others) are pursuing Carr at large. Owner Woody Johnson and general manager Joe Douglas were both at the meeting, and now the Jets — and the rest of the league really — are on hold as everyone awaits a decision from Aaron Rodgers on his future and the knock-on effect on Carr and others have.
The Jets didn’t have a full contingent at Indianapolis — many coaching teams now skip the event — but there were a few Jets assistant coaches in the city to help with position drills with draft prospects, as well as Douglas, assistant general manager Rex Hogan, the team’s scouting staff and other front office members.
Well, I was in town too.
Here are some things I’m hearing about the Jets, their quarterback pursuit and more after speaking to six league scouts, coaches or professional human resource directors who are familiar with the team’s discussions and who have been granted anonymity to do so they can speak freely.
I hear that… the Jets are ready to wait for Rodgers. No one really knows what Rodgers thinks about his future, even after speaking about it on a podcast this week, his first public comments since his four-day darkness retreat. He didn’t sound like someone planning to retire and deny the idea that his abilities were failing.
So the next question is: which team does he want to play for? The Raiders appear to have pulled out of the race while the Titans have said so to plan brings back Ryan Tannehill. It plays out as the Packers, Jets, or bust for Rodgers unless a mysterious team plots to get in the fray.
Expectations in the league are that Rodgers is likely to resign if he doesn’t retire Return to the packers – and that they would welcome him back with open arms. But Rodgers hasn’t communicated with Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst recently, so that’s mostly conjecture. The Jets hired one of Rodgers’ closest friends (Nathaniel Hackett) as offensive coordinator, but I’ve heard that hasn’t given any insight into his decision yet.
Despite all of that, the Jets are willing to wait for Rodgers to make a decision because they believe the quarterback, even at 39, gives them the best chance of not only making the playoffs but battling for the Super Bowl. Yes, it would cost a lot, both in terms of financial and trade compensation, but the Jets believe getting a Rodgers-caliber quarterback is all worth it — even if it also means adding the drama who follows him.
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“You always want it to be done yesterday, but we appreciate everyone’s process,” Saleh said of finalizing the quarterback decision. “We appreciate the time everyone needs. It’s just about being conscious in our process and taking care of our stuff and also being mindful and respectful of other people.”
I hear that… If Rodgers lands back in Green Bay, the Jets should be considered favorites to land Carr. His recent meeting in New Jersey with Saleh and others went well and the Jets consider Carr a quarterback who can get them over the hump and compete in the AFC.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a perfect fit.
Carr needs to be able to handle the scrutiny and criticism that comes with being the Jets quarterback. An NFC scout also raised concerns about how Carr handles pass-rushing pressure in games, noting that he began to become contact shy after suffering a broken fibula late in the 2016 season and a rib injury in 2022 had fight.
The Jets are aware of this perception of Carr, but have also expressed — both privately and publicly — their confidence that the offensive line will be much better in 2023, having only been decimated by injuries last season.
Saleh compared Carr to Matthew Stafford, who toiled most of his career on bad Lions teams before landing an elite supporting cast with the Rams and winning a Super Bowl.
“A lot has been asked of him in his career,” Saleh said of Carr. “He fits more into Stafford’s career: if you could just put him in a place that can surround him with all the bits and pieces so he can only play quarterback 10-15 times a game, that would be cool.”
Saleh also said that Carr has “an elite mental makeup” and “tremendous accuracy and arm strength.” He applauded his ability to “put the ball anywhere you want” and said Carr is “underestimated” when it comes to his ability to dodge pressure and climb.
If the Jets pursue Carr full force – they haven’t offered him a contract yet – how much will it cost? The expectation is that his next deal could average between $35 million and $40 million, though the deal’s structure (in terms of guaranteed money and cap hits) is what really matters.
I hear that… The Jets are expected to keep Zach Wilson on the roster – and they’re not worried his presence could be a distraction this season. This is a unique bench press: Wilson is a heavily drafted quarterback that no one thinks should be a starter right now. There will be no people urging Wilson to start if QB1 struggles in 2023, and the Jets believe the ability to train and develop him behind the scenes without as much scrutiny could be good for him.
Wilson may still be recovering from a historically poor start to his career, but the Jets also recognize he may never get better.
In any case, his role in 2023 will be that of a backup.
“The focus is on helping (Wilson) get better as much as possible,” Saleh said. “If his best is presented as a New York Jet, great. If not, great anyway because we only want the best for him and his development.”
I hear that… It wouldn’t be a shock if the Jets drafted a quarterback. Maybe not in the first round (unless someone they see as a potential franchise quarterback dropped in 13th), but on Day 2 or Day 3. The Jets could also trade back from the 13th pick — if any pick comes at all not moved in a Rodgers trade.
I hear that… The Jets hope Duane Brown returns in 2023. Brown has yet to decide whether he will continue playing or retire, although what the Jets are doing as quarterback could play a role in his decision. Brown, who turns 38 in August, would carry an $11.3 million cap hit, but the Jets would welcome him back if he decides to continue playing. He would probably start again with left tackle as well.
Brown recently had surgery on his left shoulder to fix a problem he’d struggled with all season, earning him a lot of respect in the Jets building.
“Duane is a fucking rock star, man,” said Saleh, who recently spoke to Brown. “The way he fought his way through pain and injury and did what 98 percent of players wouldn’t do, which is play when he didn’t have to. All his money was already guaranteed, he buckled up anyway and played (12) games for us. If he’s here it would be great.”
If Brown returns and can be ready to play in Week 1, the Jets would have to decide whether to trust Mekhi Becton or Max Mitchell enough to grab one as a starter in the right tackle, or whether to aim for a free hand upgrade or the draft.
“The more the merrier,” Saleh said, smiling. “Joe (Douglas) would have 52 offensive linemen on the list and one quarterback if he could.”
I hear that… The Jets really want to roll back their 2022 defense — which Pro Football Focus ranked as the best in the NFL — as much as possible, Saleh said Thursday. A handful of notable defensive players are slated to become unrestricted free agents: defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, linebacker Quincy Williams, safety Lamarcus Joyner, linebacker Kwon Alexander, defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd, and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas. Defensive end Bryce Huff is also a restricted free agent who is likely to return.
The Jets could also trade defensive end Carl Lawson for $15.4 million in savings, but I’ve heard the coaching staff is working as if he’s coming back.
Of this group, Rankins and Williams would be the most important to keep, although it will be interesting to see how willing Douglas is to open the Jets’ wallet to keep them with him. Rankins signed a two-year, $17 million deal in 2021 and should be in position to re-sign. Williams could have a robust free agency market and put himself out of the Jets’ reach, though they’d love to bring him back.
If Williams leaves, keep an eye on Bill’s linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who is also a free agent.
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I hear that… There will be a lot more turnover on offense. Center Connor McGovern could get out of the price the Jets are willing to pay and George Fant is not expected to return. Guard Nate Herbig, also a free agent, may not have a starting job with the Jets — Alijah Vera-Tucker and Laken Tomlinson are both returning — and he’s good enough to start elsewhere.
Saleh said he’d love to bring back quarterback Mike White, but is expected to get a lot of interest in Free Agency as a high-end backup and may be overpriced.
Wide receiver Corey Davis is still expected to be fired for cap savings, and Braxton Berrios could also be on the way out. Expect the Jets to add new staff at wide receiver, offensive line, quarterback and possibly running back as Breece Hall is still recovering from his ACL injury.
If the Jets get Rodgers, Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard — a free agent — could follow him to New York.
(Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)